In a rare public snubbing of a family member, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday termed his grandnephew Parth Pawar, the son of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, as ‘immature’ and someone whose words are not taken seriously.
Mr. Pawar’s public display of anger over the young leader’s actions also hints that all is not well within the Pawar family.
Mr. Parth had written a letter to State Home Minister Anil Deshmukh demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. His position was different than that of party’s which has expressed confidence in the Mumbai Police. Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party has already demanded a CBI inquiry in the case.
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When asked about the demand made by the young leader, who contested the 2019 Lok Sabha polls from Maval as an NCP candidate, but lost to the Shiv Sena, Mr. Pawar said, “He is immature. There is no value to what he says. I have 100% trust in the Maharashtra and Mumbai Police. But if anyone wants to make a demand, then nobody can object.”
The young leader was also in the news after he showed Hindutva leanings via his letter welcoming construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya, calling it the re-installation of Hindu faith. The NCP chief, however, had said in a statement that the temple would not help the country overcome the pandemic.
The public snubbing of Mr. Parth is also seen as an indication to the Deputy CM, who had switched sides before forming the MVA government to join hands with the BJP. His rebellion could not muster support within the party and he had to back down. Over the past week. rumour mills have been abuzz with news of 12 NCP MLAs planning to switch sides and join the BJP to dethrone the MVA government. However, the party had rubbished such reports.
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Meanwhile, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut held a meeting with the NCP chief and announced that there was no threat to the government. “I met Mr. Pawar and discussed all developments within the State and the country. No one has any reason to to worry,” he said.
Mr. Parth has, however, not reacted to his granduncle’s statement.